US4250688A — Method and apparatus for inserting filled, bag-li…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 177 words

A method for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes, cartons or the like, comprising the steps of feeding the containers to a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, conveying the containers to an ejector station, ejecting a preselected number of containers at the ejector station from said compartments to a buffer store where initially the containers are loosely arranged with their flat sides adjacent to one another, subsequently pressing the containers in the buffer store closely against each other wherein pressure is applied to the bag-like containers by a movably mounted thrust plate in a direction normal to the flat sides of said containers, moving the tightly packed containers into a position out of the direct range of action of an ejector means directly in front of the opening of a carton to be filled and loading the tightly packed containers into the opened carton by a loading plate in a direction parallel to the flat sides of said containers.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 177 words

A method for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes, cartons or the like, comprising the steps of feeding the containers to a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, conveying the containers to an ejector station, ejecting a preselected number of containers at the ejector station from said compartments to a buffer store where initially the containers are loosely arranged with their flat sides adjacent to one another, subsequently pressing the containers in the buffer store closely against each other wherein pressure is applied to the bag-like containers by a movably mounted thrust plate in a direction normal to the flat sides of said containers, moving the tightly packed containers into a position out of the direct range of action of an ejector means directly in front of the opening of a carton to be filled and loading the tightly packed containers into the opened carton by a loading plate in a direction parallel to the flat sides of said containers.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method according to claim 1 wherein the conveying system is stationary while the containers are pushed out of the compartments into the buffer store.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 190 words

A method for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes, cartons or the like, comprising the steps of feeding the containers to a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, conveying said containers to an ejector station, causing an ejector system to move in synchronism with the conveying device when a pre-selected number of containers has reached the ejector station ejecting the pre-selected number of containers from the compartments of the conveying system whilst the ejector system is moving in synchronism with the conveying system, and further including a buffer store, said buffer store is also caused to move in synchronism with the conveying device and the ejector system when the pre-selected number of containers has reached the ejector station, said ejector system ejecting the containers to said buffer store where the containers are initially loosely arranged, and subsequently pressed closely against each other before moving the tightly packed containers into a position directly in front of the opening of a carton to be filled and loading the tightly packed containers into said opened carton.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 190 words

A method for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes, cartons or the like, comprising the steps of feeding the containers to a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, conveying said containers to an ejector station, causing an ejector system to move in synchronism with the conveying device when a pre-selected number of containers has reached the ejector station ejecting the pre-selected number of containers from the compartments of the conveying system whilst the ejector system is moving in synchronism with the conveying system, and further including a buffer store, said buffer store is also caused to move in synchronism with the conveying device and the ejector system when the pre-selected number of containers has reached the ejector station, said ejector system ejecting the containers to said buffer store where the containers are initially loosely arranged, and subsequently pressed closely against each other before moving the tightly packed containers into a position directly in front of the opening of a carton to be filled and loading the tightly packed containers into said opened carton.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a device for mounting a carton is also caused to move in synchronism with the conveying device and the ejector system so that containers ejected by said ejector system are loaded directly into a carton.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 70 words

A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the containers are filled flat bags, the bags being arranged in the buffer store with their flat sides adjacent to one another, pressure being applied to the bags in the buffer store in a direction normal or substantially normal to their flat sides and the bags being loaded into the carton in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to their flat sides.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 3 wherein the ejector system and buffer store return to their starting position after the pre-selected number of containers is inserted by the loading system into the carton.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 57 words

A method according to claim 3 wherein as soon as the pre-selected number of containers has reached the ejector station the ejector system and the buffer store are coupled to the conveyor system by means of a coupling and are again uncoupled as soon as the pre-selected number of containers have been ejected into the buffer store.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 3 wherein an end sensor disposed in the ejector station indicates whether the pre-selected number of containers is disposed in the ejector station.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 69 words

A method according to claim 3 wherein the operating steps of ejecting the containers from the compartments of the conveyor system into the buffer store, pressing together of the containers, inserting the containers into the carton and the return of the ejector system and buffer store into their starting positions occupies only as much time as elapses until a further pre-selected number of containers again reaches the ejector station.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 3 wherein the conveyor system is intermittently driven and after a pre-defined number of containers has been fed into a compartment the conveyor system advances by one compartment.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method according to claim 3 wherein the conveyor system is continuously driven.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 107 words

Apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes comprising a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, an ejector station, an ejector system for ejecting a pre-selected number of containers from the conveying system in a direction transversely to the conveying direction, means for supporting the ejector system for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the conveying system such that movement of the ejector system in the conveying direction takes place in synchronism with the conveying speed of the conveying system.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 107 words

Apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes comprising a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, an ejector station, an ejector system for ejecting a pre-selected number of containers from the conveying system in a direction transversely to the conveying direction, means for supporting the ejector system for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the conveying system such that movement of the ejector system in the conveying direction takes place in synchronism with the conveying speed of the conveying system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 70 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus also comprises a buffer store, said means also supporting the buffer store for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the conveying system, a container thrust system for pressing the containers, ejected to the buffer store by the ejector system, closely against each other, and a loading system for loading the closely packed containers into a carton.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus also comprises a device for mounting a carton, said means also supporting the device for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the conveying system.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ejector system and the buffer store are mounted on a common saddle.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the buffer store is disposed on the side of the conveyor system which is opposite to the ejector system.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the saddle is provided with a clutch by means of which the saddle and therefore the ejector system and buffer store can be coupled to the conveyor system as soon as the preselected number of containers reaches the ejector station.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 55 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein there is provided a fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder unit which acts in opposition to the conveying direction and by means of which the ejector system and the buffer store can be pushed back into their starting position as soon as the containers have been ejected into the buffer store.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the loading system for inserting the containers into the carton is arranged in stationary form.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the loading system together with the ejector system is mounted on the saddle and is therefore arranged for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the conveying direction.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ejector station is provided with an end sensor which indicates that the preselected number of containers is situated in the ejector station and which triggers synchronized motion of the ejector system and buffer store with the conveyor system.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the end sensor is constructed as an electromechanical switch.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the end sensor is arranged to slide in a direction parallel to the conveying direction.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the buffer store has at least one deck which can be moved out of the direct range of action of the ejector system and on which said deck the containers are ejected from the compartments associated with the conveying system.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the buffer store has two or more decks.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the container thrust system comprises a fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder unit which is disposed on the deck of the buffer store and comprises a thrust plate which is mounted on the free end of the piston rod.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the thrust plate together with an oppositely disposed wall of the buffer store forms a pressure chamber into which the containers are ejected and are compressed into a tightly packed unit.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the surface dimension of the thrust plate corresponds approximately to that of the flat sides associated with the containers which are to be packaged.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the thrust plate is interchangeably mounted on the free end of the piston rod associated with the piston-cylinder unit.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the container thrust system is disposed in the buffer store so as to slide therein parallel with the thrust direction in accordance with the preselected number of containers which are to be filled into the carton.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the deck of the buffer store can be moved by means of a fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder unit into a position outside the range of action of the ejector system.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 55 words

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein outside the range of action of the ejector system, the buffer store is provided with a mouthpiece for receiving a carton which is to be filled, and the loading system for inserting into the carton the tightly pressed containers moved in front of the mouthpiece is situated opposite thereto.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the loading system comprises a fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder unit and a thrust plate, the length and width of which corresponds approximately to the internal length and width of the mouthpiece.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the loading system comprises two thrust plates, disposed one above the other but separated from each other by means of which the containers situated in the two-deck buffer store can be inserted in two-deck operation into a carton of corresponding width.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 60 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ejector system comprises a fluid pressure actuated piston-cylinder unit and a thrust plate which extends substantially parallel to the conveying direction and is interchangeably mounted on the free end of the piston rod and whose length defines the selected number of containers which are to be ejected from compartments of the conveyor system.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the length of the thrust plate corresponds to a multiple of the compartment width.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the conveyor system is constructed in the form of a compartment chain and the height of the individual compartments corresponds approximately to half the width of the containers which are to be packaged.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the individual compartments are mounted on two chains, arranged parallel to each other and extending over two double-chain sprocket wheels.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the individual compartments are mounted on a hinged chain.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the container feed device is constructed in the form of a chute which is supported so as to pivot about a horizontal axis normal to the conveying direction.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 44 words

Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the chute surface is disposed slightly above the container support surface of the compartment which is to be filled at that time so that two or more containers can be supplied to a compartment without risk of bunching.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the feeder device is provided with a sensor which switches on the drive of the conveyor system when one or a specified number of containers passes by, so that the conveyor system advances by one compartment at a time.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a mouthpiece for supporting cartons is provided, the length and width of the mouthpiece being adjustable in accordance with the length and width of the cartons in use.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the coupling for entraining the saddle comprises two coupling elements which cooperate with a third chain which is arranged in parallel to the conveyor system and is drivable in synchronism therewith.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the coupling elements are constructed in the form of rack segments engageable with the chain links of the chain.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the compartments are formed by L-shaped plates one limb of which is mounted on the circulating chains and the other limb of which defines the internal width of the compartments.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the L-shaped plates are bent at least twice in the region of their edges so that in the region of their edges the plates have an approximately saddle-roof-shaped cross-section.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the limbs of the L-shaped plates which are mounted on the circulating chains are so mounted thereon that the free ends of the said limbs project for a short distance beneath the edges of the preceding plates.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 109 words

An apparatus for inserting filled baglike containers into despatch or display boxes comprising, a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, an ejector station, a buffer store, an ejector system for ejecting a preselected number of containers from the conveying system in a direction transversely to the conveying direction to the buffer store, a container thrust system for pressing the containers closely against each other in the buffer store, and a loading system disposed out of the direct range of an ejector means for loading the closely packed containers into a carton.

Claim 53

Independent Claim 109 words

An apparatus for inserting filled baglike containers into despatch or display boxes comprising, a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, an ejector station, a buffer store, an ejector system for ejecting a preselected number of containers from the conveying system in a direction transversely to the conveying direction to the buffer store, a container thrust system for pressing the containers closely against each other in the buffer store, and a loading system disposed out of the direct range of an ejector means for loading the closely packed containers into a carton.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the ejector station is provided with an end sensor which stops the advance motion of the conveying system and triggers the ejector system as soon as a container reaches said end sensor.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the buffer store is disposed on the side of the conveying system opposite to the ejector system.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the buffer store is constructed in two or more decks.

Claim 57

Independent Claim 140 words

An apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes comprising, a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving said containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, an ejector station, a buffer store, an ejector system for ejecting a preselected number of containers from said conveying system into the buffer store in a direction transversely to the conveying direction, a container thrust system having a fluid pressure activated piston-cyclinder-unit disposed on the deck of said buffer store and a thrust plate which is mounted on the free end of the piston rod of said piston-cylinder-unit for pressing said containers closely against each other in said buffer store, and a loading system disposed out of direct range of said ejector system for loading said closely packed containers into said carton.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 140 words

An apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes comprising, a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving said containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, an ejector station, a buffer store, an ejector system for ejecting a preselected number of containers from said conveying system into the buffer store in a direction transversely to the conveying direction, a container thrust system having a fluid pressure activated piston-cyclinder-unit disposed on the deck of said buffer store and a thrust plate which is mounted on the free end of the piston rod of said piston-cylinder-unit for pressing said containers closely against each other in said buffer store, and a loading system disposed out of direct range of said ejector system for loading said closely packed containers into said carton.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the thrust plate in conjunction with an oppositely disposed wall of the buffer store forms a pressure chamber into which the containers are ejected and are pressed against each other to form a tightly packed unit.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the surface dimension of the thrust plate is approximately that of the flat sides of the containers which are to be packaged.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the thrust plate is interchangeably mounted on the free end of the piston rod associated with the piston-cylinder unit.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the container thrust system is disposed in the buffer store so as to slide therein parallel to the thrust direction in accordance with the pre-selected number of containers which are to be filled into the carton.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the deck of the buffer store can be moved into a position outside the range of action of the ejector system by means of a fluid pressure activated piston-cylinder unit.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the loading system comprises two thrust plates, disposed one above the other but separate from each other by means of which containers, in use, disposed in the two-deck buffer store can be pushed in two-deck configuration into a carton of corresponding width.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the length of the thrust plate is equal to a multiple of the compartment width.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein the conveying system is constructed in the form of a compartment chain and the height of the individual compartments corresponds approximately to half the width of the containers which are to be packaged.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the individual compartments are mounted on two parallel chains which extend over two double-chain sprocket wheels.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the individual compartments are mounted on a hinged chain.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the container feed system is constructed in the form of a chute which is supported so as to pivot about a horizontal axis normal to the conveying direction.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the sliding chute is disposed slightly above the container support surface of the compartment which is to be filled so that two or more containers can be supplied to a compartment without risk of bunching.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the feed system has a sensor which switches on the drive of the compartment conveyor when a pre-defined number of containers pass by so that the compartment moves forward by one compartment at a time.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus according to claim 53, further including a mouthpiece, said mouthpiece being disposed outside the range of action of the ejector system and on said buffer store having a length and width adjustable in accordance with the length and width of the cartons in use.

Claim 73

Independent Claim 155 words

An apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes comprising, a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, and ejector station, a buffer store, and ejector system for ejecting preselected number of containers from the conveying system in a direction transversely to the conveying direction to the buffer store, a container thrust system for pressing the containers closely against each other in the buffer store, and a loading system disposed out of the direct range of the ejector system for loading the closely packed containers into a carton, said ejector station being provided with an end sensor which stops the advance motion of the conveying system and triggers the injector system as soon as a container reaches said end sensor, said end sensor being arranged to slide in a direction parallel to the conveying direction.

Claim 74

Independent Claim 155 words

An apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes comprising, a container feed system, a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction, and ejector station, a buffer store, and ejector system for ejecting preselected number of containers from the conveying system in a direction transversely to the conveying direction to the buffer store, a container thrust system for pressing the containers closely against each other in the buffer store, and a loading system disposed out of the direct range of the ejector system for loading the closely packed containers into a carton, said ejector station being provided with an end sensor which stops the advance motion of the conveying system and triggers the injector system as soon as a container reaches said end sensor, said end sensor being arranged to slide in a direction parallel to the conveying direction.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-02-17	1984-08-18	1985-02-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-02-17	1988-08-18	1989-02-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-02-17	1992-08-18	1993-02-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for inserting filled, bag-like containers into boxes, cartons or the like

Abstract

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